Side frame for car trucks



Dec. 23, 1930. M. H. MARTIN SIDE FRAME FOR CAR TRUCKS -Filed- Dec. 11. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a (1,. .1 Q Q MN 9% gnuenfoe Dec. 23, 1 930. M. H. MARTIN SIDE FRAME FOR- GAR) TRUCKS 2 Sheets-Smut 2 Filed D60.

Patented Dec. 23, 1930 j UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE KARI H. MARTIN, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BIBDBBORO STEEL FOUNDRY &' MACHINE COMPANY, OF BIRDSBOBO, PENNSYLVANIA A CORPORATION 01' PENNSYLVANIA SIDE FRAME FOB CAR TRUCKS Application filed December 11, 1928. Serial No. 825,269.'

My invention relates to side frames for railway car trucks.

The general object of my invention is to provide a side frame for car trucks of novel construction wherein the compression, tension and other members or parts thereof are so constructed and reinforced as to greatly increasethe strength of the said frame in the regions thereof which are subjected toomax imum stresses.

It also is an object of my invention to provide a novel side frame for railway car trucks comprising journal boxes cast integrally with the said side frame and compression andtension members, which members are of. general U-shape in cross section, the transverse strength of the said members being increased in proportion to the weight thereof by distributing the metal of the webs of the said members outwardly from the neutral axes of the said members. 7

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel east side frame for .railway cars of the type in which spaced bolster columns extend between the compression and tension members of the said frame, the said compression and-tension members being of general U-shape in cross section, the portion of the web included between the base ortions of the bolster columns being curve greater percentage of the forces imposed upon the frame by the load carried therebyl o't O I will be exerted in the direction of the len of said web and being provided with a novel and improved spring plank seat having greater strength a'nd'oflering greater resistance to stresses than has been the case in similar constructions which have been devised heretofore. Another object of my invention is to provide .a novel constructionof side frame for railway cars wherein journal boxesare cast integrally with the said frame, the journal boxes bein so constructed and reinforced as to resist t e tendency bulge upon application of pressure to the bottom sides thereof by the engagement of a jack or the like therewith for raising the car truck and car underframe and car body sup ported upon said frame to effect repairs.

so that a of the said boxes to It also is an object of my invention, to

provide a novel construction of side frame which is characterized by the provision of tension and compression members of general U-shape in cross section, the webs of WhlCl'l members are thinner at and near the neutral axes thereof than the adjoining mar-- ginal portions of the said webs in order to secure increased transverse stren th in proportion to the weight of the said members, the flanges of the said members having beading formed thereon at their outer edges.

Another object of my invention is to rovide an integral east side frame of novel 0 aracter which includes brake hanger brackets, which are characterized by the provision of removable or replaceable bearings therefor.

Other objects andadvantages ofthe invention from a practical standpoint will be pointed out in the detailed descriptionthereof which follows or will become apparent from such description.

In order that the invention readily may be understood and its manifold practical advantages appreciated, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which I havea structure embodying the saidof a. cast sidevframe embodying. my inven- Fig. 2 is a view in top plan of a portion of the side frame shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical transverse section through one of the journal boxes connectedto the side frame, the said view being taken on'the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

ig. 4 is a view in' vertical transverse sec-- tion of the upper part of the inside portion of a journal box taken on the line 4-4= of Fig. 2;

' thereof to lateral bending Fig. 5 isa view in bottom plan of a portion of the side frame shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7' is a view in transverse section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 1;

'Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on lines 88, 99 and 10-10 of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 11 and 12 are transverse sectional views similar to those shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 but taken through a side frame construction embodying modified bolster columns, and tension and compression members.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the compression member and 2 the tension member of my novel side frame construction. Spaced bolster columns 3 extend between and are cast integrally with the said compression and tension members. The presence of the said bolster columns 3 provides the usual bolster window. The central portion of the compression member 1 is curved or cainbered as shown at 4, the side portions of the said membenbetween the ends of the curved portion 4 and the outer ends of the compression member being substantially straight, as shown. Such construction of the compression member provides maximum resistance against bending or compression stresses.

The columns 3, the compression member 1 and the tension member 2 are of general U- shape or channel shape in cross section, as is clearly shown respectively in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. Referring to the said figures, it will be observed that the webs 8, 9 and 10 of the bolster columns and the compression and tension members, respectively, increase in thickness from their neutral axes to the marginal edge portions thereof. By distributmg the metal of the webs of these parts so that there is a thickening thereof from the neutral or central axes thereof to their outer edges it has been found that the resistance and twisting stresses is greatly increased. Such distribution of the metal preferably is effected by curving the inner side of the web on an are having a radius R substantially greater than the depth or depths of the various channel sections.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a modified cross section of'a channel member which may be employed in lieu of either of those shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. In the said figure the desired distribution of the metal away from the neutral axis of the channel member may be described as being effected by providing straight converging inner surfaces 12 which merge into a curved surface 13 the radius R of which is approximately equal to the maximum depth of the channel member.

In Fig. 12 is shown another modified channel member in cross section in which the inner inclined sides 14 meet at an angle at Ehe neutral axis of the web of the said mem- The edges of the members 1 and 2 and the columns 3 are provided with inwardly extending flanges 15, 16 and 17, respectively. The ends of the said flanges merge and form or provide openings 18 of general triangular shape. In order to reinforce the edges of the said flanges beading 19 is provided which beading surrounds the openings 18. The beading which extends along the edges of the flanges 17 is of less width than the beading which extends along the edges of the flanges 15 and 16. The width of the latter .increases outwardly to the points at which dering' the bolster window also is provided with beading, as shown at 21. This beading diminishes in width from the middle of the length thereof outwardly, and the said head ing is connected with and merges into the beadin 19, as shown at 22. Such arrangement of the heading 21 has been found to materially strengthen and reinforce the side frame. A

The central portion of the web 10.0f the tension member 2 which forms the bottom of the bolster window is curved to points A and B located slightly beyond or outside of the bases of the bolster columns 3. The said portion is so curved as to occupy the position which it would occupy if the tension member were flexible and were suspended at its opposite'ends, the side rtions of the said tension member extending outwardly along substantially straight lines, as shown. The top side of the curved portion of the web 10' is provided with upwardly, transversely and longitudinally extending ribs 23 the top edges of'which terminate in a common plane. Drain holes 23a are formed in the said web 10, as shown, to permit water to drain from the spaces formed between the ribs and the said web. Connected preferably integrally with the said ribs and with the member 6 are outwardly projecting shelves 24 the top sides of which are located in the same plane as the top edges of the said ribs. Bosses 25 are or may be formed on the top sides of the shelves 24 for engaging and holding in position a suitable sprin plank (not shown). The ribs 23 and the she ves 24 constitute a seat for the said spring plank, the said seat bein located in a plane below which a portion 0 the web 10 extends, and the ends of the said seat merging with the said web. It also will be."

seen that the said ribs and shelves reinforce and strengthen the lower central portion of the tension member and that the bases of the columns 3 are connected to the top side of the web 10 by curved ortions 24a which merge with the latter a jacent the ends of the spring plank seat. The ends of the side edges of the shelves 24 taper inwardly with respect to the side frame and are bent upwardly to meet the sides of the said member 2 thereb providing strengthening portions 26. riangular gusset portions 27 extend upwardly from the said shelves and are joined with the corners of the bolster columns 3, as is clearly shown in Fig. 7, and operate to strengthen the structure greatly at those points.-

Directly underneath the bolster window the tension member 2 is of general rectangular shape in cross section, as will be seen by referring to the said Fig. 7. As shown in the said figure the under side 28 of the central portion of the web 10 preferably is curved transversely in order to reduce the thickness of the said web along its neutral I axis and to increase the thickness of themarginal edge portions thereof. The flanges 29 which extend downwardly from the opposite edges of, the central portion of the web 10 connect with the bottom web 32 the inner side of which also is curved in the same manner as the web 10, as shown at 33. The outer ends of the web 32 and of the flanges 29 are curved upwardly and connect with the under side of the web 10 of the tensionmember, as is indicated at 34 in Figs. 1 and 5. As a result of this construction the resistance of the tension member to forces applied in the direction indicated by line w-m as well as other directions, is greatly increased. Preferably gussets 35 are provided between the bottom sides of the shelves 24 and the outer sides of the flan es 29. The web 32 is rovided with drainioles, as shown at 36 in igs. 1 and 5. The portion of the structure comprising the parts 29, 32 and the adjoining part of the web 10may be referred to as a closed box section.

The straight side portions of the tension member extend in converging relation to the straight side portions of the compression mem er toward the curved or cambered portions 38 of the said compression member near the outer ends of the frame at which points the journal boxes 39 are connected integrally to the said frame. The outer ends of the web 10 of the tension member meet and are connected integrally at 40 with the central portions of the edges of the roofs 41 of the said journal boxes, as shown, while the flanges 15 and 16 merge with each other adjacent the said boxes. The web 9 of the compression member does not connect directly with the roofs of the (journal boxes, being cut away, as indicate at 42. The

flanges 15 of the compression member extend over and are connected to the said roofs, the outer edges thereof being curved c ownwardly and terminating in the planes of the outer side walls of said boxes, as shown at 43. The union between the journal boxes and the webs 10 is strengthened by gussets 44 which extend i from the inner side walls 45 of the said boxes to the edges of the said webs.

In order to prevent collapsing of the journal boxes upon the application of lifting forces to the under sides thereof by means of a lifting jack I have provided ribs or corrugations 46 in the bottoms 47 of the said boxes.

.These ribs or corrugations preferably extend inwardly and longitudinally of the said boxes to points slightly beyond the middles thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. To further obviate the tendency of the bottoms of said journal boxes to bulge inwardly the lower portions 48 of the sides of the said boxes which are located in front of the circular ortions 48a of the wider rear parts of the sald boxes, are so constructed as to present maximum resistance to forces which tend to cause deformation of the said boxes. I have found that by making the portions 48 of the said boxes substantially plane and extending them upwardly: in di verging relation to each other, as shown, the

desiredresults are obtained. By means of this construction, when pressure is applied to the bottoms of the journal boxes the pressure is resisted by the corrugations 46 and also is transmitted outwardly, as it were, from the centers of the journal boxes to and through the inclined plane side portions 48 thereof.

Adjacent the top ends of the bolster columns 3 but located laterally thereof and con-- nected to the rear. or inner side of the compression member 1 are brake hanger brackets. These brackets preferably are cast integrally with the compression member of the side frameand each of them comprises a horizontal' portion 49 to which is connected a substantially vertical portion 50 the lower end portion of which is of general hook-shape, the curved portion 51 thereof having a laterally projecting lip portion 52 connected thereto. he lip portion 52 has a recess formed therein, as shown at 53 in Fig. 2. This-recess is adapted to receive a lug 54 formed on a' hearing 55 while the curved portion '51 of the bracket is adapted to receive the said hearing. The upper end portions of brake hangers, a portion of one of which is shown at 57 in Fig. 1, are journaled in the bushings 55.

The said bearings are secured to the brackets tion, I am able to produce side frames of greater strength in proportion to their.

weight than those which have been devised heretofore.

Having thus'described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure y Letters Patent 1s:

. bers, the central portion of the said compression member being curved longitudinall upwardly extending ribs formed integral y with the top side of the central portion of the tension, member, which ribs extend transversely and longitudinally of the said tension member, the upper edges of the said ribs terminating in a common plane, and shelves formed integrally with the said tension meniber and the said ribs, the top sides of the said shelves being located in the same plane as the top edges of the said ribs, the said shelves and the said ribs constituting a spring plank seat.

3. A cast side frame comprising compression and tension members, and journal boxes connected integrally to the outer ends of the said side frame, the bottoms of the said boxes having corrugations formed therein which corrugations extend longitudinally of the said boxes.

4. A east side frame comprising compression and tension members, and journal boxes connected to the outer ends of the said side frame, the bottoms of each of the said'ournal boxes having corrugations formed t erein extending longitudinallyofthe said boxes, and the lower front side portions of the sides of the said boxes bein substantially plane and extendin upward y in diverging relation to each ot er.

5. An integral side frame comprising brake hanger brackets, each of the said brackets comprising hook ortions, and bearings seated in the said hoo portions, and means for securing the said bearings to the said brackets.

6. An integral side frame comprising brake hanger brackets, eachof said brackets comtending lip portion connected thereto, which lip portion has a recess formed therein, and a bearing adapted to fit in the said hook portion, the said bearing having a lug thereon adapted to fit in the said recess.

7. A side frame for car trucks comprising compression and tension members, spaced bolster columns interposed between the said members, the said members and the said columns being of channel shape in cross section, and the flanges of the said members and columns merging'to form openings of general triangular shape, beading formed on the edges of the said flanges surrounding the said openings, the beading increasing in width from the inner ends ofthe portions thereof formed on the flanges of the compression and tension members to the outer end portions thereof, and the central portions of the flanges of the, compression member adjacent the bolster columns also having beading formed thereon, which beading diminishes in width from the central to the outer end portions thereof, the outer ends of the said last named beading being connected to the said first named heading.

8. A side frame for car trucks comprising compression and tension members, spaced bolster columns interposed between the said members, the said members and the said columns comprising webs having flanges formed on the edges thereof, the said webs being reduced in thickness in the region of the neutral axes thereof, the flanges of the said members and columns merging to form openings of general triangular sha e, beading formed on the edges of the said anges surrounding the said openings, which beadin increases in width from the inner ends oft e portions thereof which are formed on the flanges of the compression and tension'members to the outer ends of the said portions, and the central portions of the flanges of the compression member adjacent the bolster columns also having beading extending along the edges thereof, which beading diminishes in width from the middle to the outer end ortions'thereof, the outer end portions 0 the last named beading being connected to the said first named beading.

9. A side frame for car trucks comprising compression and tension members, spaced bolster columns interposed between the said members the presence of which causes a bolster window to be formed, the said members and the said columns comprising webs having flanges connected to the edges thereof, the central ortions of the said webs being reduced in t ickness, the upper central portion of the said tension member being curved and having upwardly extending ribs formed integrally with) the top side thereof, the said ribs extending transversely and lon tudinally of the said tension member' and t e upper-edges thereof terminatin in a common plane, and shelves forme integrally with the said tension member and the said ribs, the top sides of. which shelves are lo cated in the same plane as the top edges of A the said ribs, the said shelves and the said ribs constituting a spring plank seat ma plane above the said curved central portion of the said'tension member.

10. A side frame for car trucks comprising compression and tension members, which members have central curved portions, spaced bolster columns interposed between the said members the presence of which causes a bol.

central portions of the flanges of t e compressibn member adjoining the said'bolster window also having beadingformed thereon which diminishes in width from the middle to the outer end portions thereof, the outer end portions of the last named beading being connected to the first named beading, up-

wardly extending -ribs formed integral with the top side ofthe curved portion of the said tension member, which ribs extend.

transversely and longitudinally of the said tension member, the top edges of the said ribs terminating in a common plane, and shelves formed integrally with the said compression member and the said ribs, the top sides of which shelves are located in the same plane as the to edges of the said ribs, the said shelves an the said ribs constituting a spring plank seat. 11; A side 'frame for car trucks comprising compression and tension members, spaced bolster columns interposed between the said members the presence of which causes a bolster window to be formed, the said members and the said columns comprising webs having flanges connected to the edges thereof, the central portions of which webs are reduced in thickness with respect to the marginal portions thereof, ;the flanges of the said members and columns merging to form 0 nings of general trian lar shape, bea 'ng formed on the edges 0 the said flan es surroundingthe said 0 nings, which eading increases in width om the inner ends of those portions of'thebeading which extend along the flanges of the compression and tension members to .the outer ends of the said portions, the central portions of the flanges of the said compression member adjacent the said bolster window also having beading formed on the edges thereof, which beading diminishes in width from the middle to the outer endportions thereof, the outer end portions of the last named beading being connected to the first named heading, and

journal boxes connected integrally with the outer ends of the said side frame, the lower front side portions of which boxes are plain and are inclined upwardly in diverging relation to each other. a

12. A side frame for car trucks comprising compression and tension members, spaced bolster columns interposed between the said members, the said compression and tension members havlng central curved portions, the

said members and columns comprising webs having flanges connected to the edges thereof, the central portions of which 'webs are reduced in-thickness with respect to the marginalfortions thereof, and journal boxes connecte integrall side frame the bottoms of which boxes have corrugations formed therein extending longitudinally with respectthereto, the lowerfront side portions of the said boxes being plane and extended upwardly in diverging relation to each other. a

13. A side frame for car trucks comprising compression and tension members, spaced bolster columns inter osed between the said members, the centra portions of the said members being curved, the said columns and members comprising webs having flanges connected to the edges thereof, the central portions of which webs are reduced in thickness with respect to the marginal portions thereof, upwardly extending ribs formed integrally with the top side of the said central portion of the tension member, the top edges of which ribs are located in a common plane, shelves formed integrally with the said central portion of the said tension member and extending laterally with respect thereto, the

top sidesof which shelves are located in the to the outer ends of the said same plane as the top, edges of the said .ribs,

and journal boxes connected integrally to the outer. ends of the said side frame, the bottoms of which journal boxes are provided with corrugations, the lower front sides of the said journal boxes being substantially plane and extending upwardly in diverging relation to each other.

14. A side frame for car trucks com rising compression and tension members, olster columns interposed between said members, the said members and columns comprising webs having flanges connected to the edges thereof, the central portions of the said webs" beingreduced in thickness with res ct to the marginal portions of the said we 5, u

wardly extending ribs formed on the top si e of the central portion of the said tension member, shelves formed integrally with and extending laterally with respect to the said central portion ofthe said tension member,

' the top edges of the said ribs and the top sides of the said shelves being located in a common plane, journal boxes connected integrally to the outer ends of the said side frame, the

'the lower side connected to the outer ends of the said side frame, the bottoms of each of the said journal boxes having corrugations formed therein extending longitudinally of the said boxes, and ortions of said boxes, which are located in ront of the circular portions of the wider rear parts of the said boxes, being substantially plane and extending up wardly in diver 'n relation to each other.

7 16. A cast si e rame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced bolster columns interposed between said members, the central portion of the said tension member between the said columns being curved longitudinally, a spring plank seat formed on. said tension member and located in a plane below which a portion of the said member extends, the said columns being connected to the top side of the said tension member by curved portions which merge into the latter near the'adjoining ends of the said spring plank seat, the outer portions of the said tension member being channel shaped in cross section, and journal boxes connected to the outer ends of the said frame, the ends of the webs of the outer portions of said tension thereon brake hanger brackets each of said brackets comprising a laterally extending portion having a recess extending across its inner end portion, a bearing for a brake hanger mounted in the said recess the said bearing having an outwardly projecting portion, and means for securing the said outwardly projecting portion to the outer end part of the laterally extending portion of the said bracket.

.20. A side frame for railway cars comprising brake hanger brackets each of the said brackets having vertically and laterally extending portions, the said laterally extending portion being provided at its inner end with a transversely extending recess, a bearing for a brake han er mounted in the said recess, and means or detachably securing the said bearing to the said hanger.

21. A side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced bolster columns interposed between the said compression and tension members, the said tension member having a web the edges of the central portion of which are provided with depending flanges, the edges ofthe opposite ends of the said flanges extending inwardly toward the said tension member and merging into the web thereof at points beyond the said bolster columns, and a web secured to the lower edges of the said flan es and inclosing the space between the said anges, the opposite ends of the said web extending inwar 1y toward the said tension member and being connected thereto at points beyond the said bolster columns.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention,,I have hereunto signed my member being connected to the central porname this 8 day of December, A. D. 1928.

tions of the roofs of said journal boxes.

17. A side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced bolster columns interposed between said members and forming a window opening in the said frame, the central portion of the said tension member between said columns being curved longitudinally to points located outside of the corners of the said window, be tween which points the said tension member is of general rectangular shape in cross section and a spring plank seat formed on said tension mem er and located in a plane below which a part of the said central-curved por.--

tion of the said member extends.

18. A side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced bolster columns interposed between said'members, a

portion of said tension member :which extends to points beyond said bolster columns MARK H. MARTIN.

consisting of a closed box section and being of general rectangular shape in crossw se:- tion, the outerportions" of the said tension member being of channel shape in cross section. 4

19. A side frame for railway cars having 

